Biography

I've been a ham since 1962 and enjoy many aspects of ham radio. My heart is in DX'ing, doing DXpeditions, and (when I have time) contesting. I'm married with four grown children and ten grandchildren.

My travels have taken me to, South Sandwich (twice), Peter I Island (twice), Easter Island, Heard Island, Reunion Island, Kerguelen Island, Desecheo, Malpelo, Saba, Navassa, Bhutan, the South Orkneys, The South Shetlands, Amsterdam Island, Sao Tome, Sabile Island and multiple stops in between.

In January of 2018 my team and I attempted a DXpedition to Bouvet Island. We didn't make it.
We encountered nothing unexpected at the island and were fully prepared for the DXpedition. But a combination of human errors and bad judgements, along with multiple failures of our ship, including engine failure, forced us to abort the mission. After 31 days at sea in a crippled ship, we limped into Cape Town, South Africa and then made our way to our various homes. This was a huge disappointment for me.

In 2019 I planned a DXpedition to Pitcairn Island. I became very ill just before departure and was unable to go. But my team did a tremendous job. I hope you enjoyed a QSO with them.

Recently my wife and I relocated, making our lake cabin our permanent home. We now reside on Lower Whitefins Lake, near Pequot Lakes, MN. I have rebuilt my station on an 80 acer farm about 10 miles away. The antennas are arranged somewhat differently, but are basically the same. The station is located in Cass County Minnesota and EN26. I am enjoying DXing from the new location and trying very hard to interest the locals in contesting. Station building remains a work in progress.

I love this hobby, especially DX'ing and DXpeditions. Thank you, everyone, for the on the air and off the air friendships we have forged. You can view some of my DXpedition photos on my QRZ.com page.

See you in the pile ups.

Ralph - K0IR

Equipment

I am currently running a Flex station with a 6700, Maestro, and PGXL as my main operating position. The shack also contains thee additional operating positions for contesting. The antennas consist of 7/7 on 10, 6/6 on 15, 6/6 on 20, 4-elements on 40, a wire 4-square on 80, and a 1/4 wave wire vertical on 160.

On the WARC bands I have 3-elements on 30, 5-elements on 17 and 4-elements on 12.

On 6 meters ---- Not so much yet. Working on it.

However, in my northern location, all this aluminum sometimes does not help too much -- hi. If you hear me on, please give me a call.


73 --
Ralph - K0IR